September 15, 2000

     Hawk Watching

Hawk Ridge, about 800 feet above the east end of Duluth, is known as one of the major global sites for the observation of fall hawk migrations.

Hawks, eagles and other birds of prey concentrate over this single geographic point during their migration to wintering areas as close as southern Minnesota or as distant as South America.  They pass by here probably because they are reluctant to cross a body of water as large as Lake Superior.  A further funneling effect occurs as the hawks use updrafts along the shoreline, but after passing Hawk Ridge they quickly disperse.

Hawk watching begins in mid-August and continues into December, with the biggest flights usually occurring from Sept. 8-23.  The best time to observe the migrating birds seems to be from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but there is almost no migration on days with an easterly wind or precipitation.  Clear skies and a northwest wind provide the best conditions for flying.  On a good day more than 20,000 birds of prey can be counted.